Evolving Objects

Have you ever wondered how our everyday household products come to be? Or where these products go once they leave our homes? Our first-ever exhibition, Evolving Objects, attempts to tell the story of how humans have evolved with the everyday services of lighting, cleaning and clothing - from the construction of the Congdon House, circa 1877 to the present.

Evolving Objects provides a critical perspective on the way in which our everyday products evolve to match our changing lifestyle. Along the way, we find, many of our design criteria have changed: Where we once designed our products for longevity and practicality, have we now prioritized convenience and economy? Once we defined community as falling within a day's travel; today, we include the entire globe.
 
The question is, is it possible to design products and systems where the future health of our environment and our communities are key design criteria?

Imagine a world in which all the things we make, use, and consume provide nutrition for nature and industry—a world in which growth is good and human activity generates a restorative ecological footprint.
 
Evolving Objects will launch in August 2009–open weekends 11am-5pm.

Basic Needs / Summer Speaker Series

How do the choices we make to satisfy our basic needs for food, water, shelter, and clothing impact the health of our communities and our environment?

To foster dialogue around some of today’s most pressing - and most tangible - environmental issues, The Ecology center is proud to announce our first Summer Speaker Series, to be held in San Juan Capistrano, California.

The purpose of the series is to provide a foundation for making decisions that have a positive ecological impact. To that end, we are providing a forum where the residents of Orange County can explore these crucial topics with cutting-edge thinkers from a variety of backgrounds.

May 11 / Water

Brad Lancaster author of "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands"

"Since 1993 I’ve run a successful permaculture consulting, design, and education business focused on integrated and sustainable approaches to landscape design, planning, and living. And as I live in the dryland environment, rainwater harvesting has long been one of my specialties and a passion. At home my brother and I harvest over 100,000 gallons of rainwater a year on a 1/8-acre urban lot and adjoining right-of-way. This harvested water is then turned into living air conditioners of food-bearing shade trees, abundant gardens, and a thriving landscape incorporating wildlife habitat, beauty, edible and medicinal plants, and more.

I started writing the Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond series as a way to empower my clients and my community to make such positive change in their own lives and back yards by harvesting rainwater.

I wanted to provide an accessible resource that explains what water harvesting is, how to do it appropriately, and how to modify it to the unique conditions of everyone’s own site. I believe we all can become beneficial stewards of the land, and partners in the ecosystem in which we live, and I believe that by harvesting rainwater sustainably we can all begin to transform our households from consumers of resources to producers of resources"

Basic Needs / Summer Speaker Series

How do the choices we make to satisfy our basic needs for food, water, shelter, and clothing impact the health of our communities and our environment?

To foster dialogue around some of today’s most pressing - and most tangible - environmental issues, The Ecology center is proud to announce our first Summer Speaker Series, to be held in San Juan Capistrano, California.

The purpose of the series is to provide a foundation for making decisions that have a positive ecological impact. To that end, we are providing a forum where the residents of Orange County can explore these crucial topics with cutting-edge thinkers from a variety of backgrounds.

July 15th / WASTE

Dr. Sandra Steingraber; author of “Living Downstream”

About Dr. Sandra Steingraber

A world renowned ecologist, Sandra Steingraber is an expert on the links between cancer and the environment; reforming chemical policy and contamination without consent.

Ecologist, author, and cancer survivor, Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized expert on the environmental links to cancer and human health. Steingraber’s highly acclaimed book, Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment presents cancer as a human rights issue. Originally published in 1997, it was the first to bring together data on toxic releases with data from U.S. cancer registries and won praise from international media including The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, The Lancet, and The London Times. 

Join us for an evening conversation, wine, beer and light fare from 6:30pm-9pm. Registration for this unique events is $15 for members/$25 for non-members. Guests can purchase tickets online or by calling 949.443.4223.

Not sure if you have enough knowledge on these topics to participate? This year, we’re pairing the Summer Speaker Series with a sister Summer Film Series. An award-winning documentary will be shown one week prior to each speaking engagement. All films start at 7:30pm and attendance is FREE.

July 8th: Selections from the E2 Series

Possible only in partnership with:
Hurley, Volcom V.Co-logical, Whole Foods, New Belgium Brewery, Guayaki, VitaCoco, The City of San Juan Capistrano, Sambazon, and Meridian Graphics.

• SSS SHELTER Set Up
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• The First Arrive!
• SSS Veggie Beds
• Palm Ready for Dr. Steingraber
• The Congdon House
• Evan, Vicki & Congdon House
• Evan & Vicki
• Chickens Getting Ready to Meet Dr. Steingraber
• Cheers!
• Kristin & Harry
• Speaker Series Set Up!
• Vicki, Kristin & David
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• IMG_7995
• Sunlight Reception
• Evan, Kristin, Ryan & Jeremy
• Evan & Dr. Steingraber
• Evan & Dr. Steingraber - Thank You!
• Dr. Sandra Steingraber
• The SSS Steingraber Setting
• Dr. Steingraber & Congdon House
• Dr. Steingraber & Other End of the Rainbow

The Ecology Center & The Center for Living Peace present

Backyard Skills at The Center for Living Peace

By providing the environment, classes and programs that help people develop the skills to bridge their positive intentions to conscious and responsible action, The Center for Living Peace aims to help people discover their own wisdom and gifts and to then share those gifts with the world. The Ecology Center is very proud to announce an off-site offering of our popular Backyard Skills series, made possible by The Center for Living Peace.

7/17/10 at 1pm: Sprouting with Evan Marks.
 

Basic Needs / Summer Speaker Series

How do the choices we make to satisfy our basic needs for food, water, shelter, and clothing impact the health of our communities and our environment?

To foster dialogue around some of today’s most pressing - and most tangible - environmental issues, The Ecology center is proud to announce our first Summer Speaker Series, to be held in San Juan Capistrano, California.

The purpose of the series is to provide a foundation for making decisions that have a positive ecological impact. To that end, we are providing a forum where the residents of Orange County can explore these crucial topics with cutting-edge thinkers from a variety of backgrounds.

August 26th / Community

Shaheen Sadeghi, local design visionary of The Lab and The Camp

Creator and founder of LAB enterprise, Shaheen Sadeghi, transferred a well respected career in the fashion industry into a revolutionary community for local culture. His visionary projects, The Lab + The Camp, weave community, culture and commerce into real estate innovation and place making.

Join us for an evening conversation, wine, beer and light fare from 6:30pm-9pm. Registration for this unique events is $15 for members/$25 for non-members. Guests can purchase tickets online or by calling 949.443.4223.

Possible only in partnership with:
Hurley, Volcom V.Co-logical, Whole Foods, New Belgium Brewery, Guayaki, VitaCoco, The City of San Juan Capistrano, Sambazon, and Meridian Graphics.

Element / Backyard Skills Collaborative

Element D.I.Y. sustainability workshops for youth:

May 29th. Wind - make and fly your own kite
June 12. Water - rainbarrel design and construction
July 24. Fire - solar oven construction and baking
August 28. Earth - build your composting worm bin

In an effort to empower today’s youth to be tomorrow’s environmental leaders, The Ecology Center and Element have collaborated on a fun and ecologically enriching D.I.Y. Summer workshop series.

With the intention to transform our community and environment, much hard work is needed. Therefore, our hope is that this is the first of many workshops and collaboratives between Element Skateboards and The Ecology Center.

• Kite Coloring Table
• Alyssa Leading the Team
• Kingman Colors
• Kites in the Sky!
• Adult Kite Flying - So Rad!
• The Girls Flying
• Morgan, Her Kite & a Fat Tire
• Sibley & Her Kite!
• The Saboris: His and Hers Kites
• D Admires His Work
• Up, Up and Away!
• Derek at the End of His Line
• It's So Easy!
• Kristin Flying
• BYS - Rain Barrel Class!
• Proud Rain Barrel Constructors
• Maya & Brook Working the Jigsaw
• Caulking the Outflow!
• Papa Kerrigan Gettin' Barreled
• Maya in the Barrel
• Fitting the inflow screen to keep bugs out!
• Maya & Morgan Holding her Steady
• The Rain Barrel Tools
• Brook Talking Rainwater Harvesting

Thank you to all those who participated in this weekends Farm to Fork workshop for kids, including Meg of Earthroots Field School and the OC Register.

"Where does food come from? Young visitors to The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano got to answer that question for themselves Saturday and make a meal of what they found in a program called "Farm to Fork." The goal of the course, instructor Meg Hiesinger said, is to teach children how to eat healthy and appreciate their food."Regardless if you are a hands-on learner or like to learn through reading, cooking has aspects for all types of people," Hiesinger said."

Please see the OC Register for full story.

A Youth Culinary Experience

Starting with the gardens at The Ecology Center, children will explore where their food comes from. After a short harvest walk, participants will prepare simple small plate meals catalyzing the connection from farm to fork.

When

First Saturday of each month - 10:00 - 11:30 am

Where

The Ecology Center is located at South Coast Farms
32701 Alipaz St.
San Juan Capistrano, 92675

Register

Call 949.443.4223 to reserve a spot.

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opens August 28th!

Join us for a provocative, one-of-a-kind exhibition exploring our daily water footprint. Do you know your water footprint?

Our Juggernaut: The average Southern Californian's water footprint exceeds 1,800 gallons per day.

While the world's poorest survive on less than five gallons a day, we continue to feed the Juggernaut monster. Since a 950-gallon daily footprint is considered a sustainable global standard, we still have some work to do. Visit The Ecology Center for 10 simple ways to do your part in defeating the Juggernaut.

1. Grow your own food or buy organic from your local farmer's market when in season. GALLONS SAVED: 150 gallons/day

2. Purchase - and use - a reusable water bottle. To-go ware too! GALLONS SAVED: 6 gallons/day

3. Turn off unnecessary lighting and replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs or LEDs. GALLONS SAVED: 5 gallons/day

4. Thirsty toilet; Fill a used bottle with sand, screw the cap back on and place it in the tank to displace some of the water.  GALLONS SAVED: 2 gallons/day

5. Install a drip irrigation system, plant natives and apply mulch. GALLONS SAVED: 150 gallons/day

6. Laundry; Only wash full loads and consider retrofitting your clothes washer to irrigate your lawn. GALLONS SAVED: 40 gallons/wash

7. Turn the faucet off while brushing. GALLONS SAVED: 8 gallons/day

8. Products/technology; Take care of the things you have so they last longer. GALLONS SAVED: 100’s of gallons/day

9. Swap a meat-based meal (or two) for a veggie-based meal each week. GALLONS SAVED: 2,000 gallons/week

10. Wash your car at a commercial car wash. GALLONS SAVED: 50 gallons/wash

Powered by Hurley's H2O Initiative

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Back by popular demand, The Ecology Center is once again offering Sourdough Bread Baking with Chris Blank. Yes, sourdough bread will be baked (and enjoyed) during class and all students will take home prepped started to apply their new backyard skill at home. Tuition is $30 for non-members and $27 for members of The Ecology Center. 

What past sourdough bread students have said:

"I have baked bread with the starter and several times have made pancakes, too. I love to cook and as a kid my dad made sourdough pancakes every Sunday morning for us so I was excited to get a new starter again."

"Yesterday I made some really great bread. I took fresh basil, english thyme, and lemon thyme. I chopped them up pretty fine. The bread was the best bread i have ever tasted."

"My neighbors are in love my bread and think that I am the best cook ever. I don't know about, that but I am so happy to have learn my new skills of bread making."

Please register in advance as space is limited. You may register online (click here) or call 949.443.4223 to sign up!

Join our founder Evan Marks, and Warrior Up! Warrior Up highlights the positive social, environmental and economic change made possible by our Sambazon Warriors. These warriors are athletes, entrepreneurs and social activists who have used their expertise to make an impact. Through their causes, Sambazon is looking to empower everyday warriors. We invite you to join our tribe. Make your own warrior headdress on Facebook, learn about Sambazon's Warriors and their causes, and get involved – start creating positive change in your world.

Warrior Up is Sambazon's new campaign celebrating the individuals who strive every day to make the world a better place while inspiring others to do the same. Based on the same sustainable business model that made Sambazon the market leader in organic Amazon superfood açaí. 

For a full report on the Warrior Up launch, visit: Sambazon Warrior Up Campaign Launch Party

A Communal Celebration of Local Food

From all over Southern and Central California, organic farmers, ranchers, wine makers and renowned chefs will contribute their expertise and their foods, to serve up The Ecology Center’s second annual Green Feast on Saturday, September 11, 2010.  Two hundred supporters of The Ecology Center will sample hors d’oeuvres and enjoy a six-course meal served on 25 tables set up end to end outdoors at South Coast Farms.  

The Feast will take place from 3:30 p.m. until after dark.  Dinner will be served on tables dressed in white linens and candles, set up communal-style in a farm field in back of The Ecology Center.  Before dinner, guests will be invited to tour South Coast Farms and The Ecology Center’s downstairs exhibits.  They will also be able to mingle with donating farmers and ranchers, all attending as honored guests. 

Huell Howser, host and producer of the statewide public television series, “California’s Gold,” will be a special guest at the Feast.  Howser plans to produce an hour-long special on The Ecology Center and Green Feast.  The three-piece bluegrass band, Silver Mountain String Band, will provide country atmosphere throughout the evening.

After a pre-dinner reception featuring a variety of wines and beer, Chefs Mead, Ghahreman and Monson will prepare multiple dinner courses on outdoor wood-burning grills.  As each course is served, the rancher, fisherman or farmer responsible for the main ingredient will speak to guests about his or her special approach to organic, pasture-raised and sustainable farming.

Donated foods served at Green Feast will include oysters and mussels from Carlsbad Aquafarm of Carlsbad; wild caught fish from Santa Monica Seafood of Santa Monica;  pasture-raised lamb from MM Livestock in Wildomar; pasture-raised game birds from Rainbow Ranch Farms of Pinon Hills; wild boar from Homegrown Meats of La Jolla; vegetables from South Coast Farms; organic peaches from Tenerelli Orchards of Littlerock; artisanal breads from Sadie Rose Baking Co. of San Diego; artisanal cheeses and organic wines from several Central California vintners; handcrafted beers from In the Closet Brewing Co. of Ventura and hand-crafted limoncello liqueur from Ventura Limoncello.  

• Welcome to Green Feast
• Table for 200
• A view of the table for 200.
• Toasting Friends & Local Food
• Family Style Serving
• Green Feast Centerpiece
• Green Feast's Outdoor Kitchen
• Evan Introduces Purveyors
• Evan Welcomes the Crowd
• Music!
• The Table Setting
• Talking About Good Food!
• Lighting
• Sunsets on Green Feast
• Green Feast Nightfall

The Ecology Center & The Center for Living Peace present

Backyard Skills at The Center for Living Peace

By providing the environment, classes and programs that help people develop the skills to bridge their positive intentions to conscious and responsible action, The Center for Living Peace aims to help people discover their own wisdom and gifts and to then share those gifts with the world. The Ecology Center is very proud to announce an off-site offering of our popular Backyard Skills series, made possible by The Center for Living Peace.

September 25th at 1pm: Learn how to make and fly your own Kite with Alyssa Duhe. Sign up here.

Whether purposefully planted in a backyard garden or naturally growing in the wild, edibles are everywhere! Join Caroline Colesworthy on this nature walk where you'll learn about edibles that exist all around the places we live, work and play. Join us, Saturday, October 2nd from 11:30 am to 1:00pm. Cost is $27 for members and $30 for non-members. Sign up online, or by calling 949.443.4223.

About Caroline Colesworthy: Holding a Master's in Environmental Studies from Brown University, Caroline Colesworthy teaches for both Earthroots Field School and Anneliese's School. Her mission in life is to connect people to the Earth and to each other- this often involves food. 'The difference between you and anything else is really just a matter of time and perspective.' 

The Ecology Center is founded on the principle that people can make a difference. Individual actions can transform the community, elevating the health of our environment for future generations. We can create a diverse, safe, and healthy world.

Be part of the solution! Only together can we create a healthy community; one with clean soil, air, water and power, for current and future generations. Your generous contribution ensures continued programming here at The Ecology Center, including:
    
- Produce Backyard Skills – a monthly DIY series of workshops featuring creative solutions and strategies for green living
- Offer Farm to Fork – a children’s program that begins with a garden tour and ends with the preparation of simple, small plate meals
- Build our Eco-Labs – a collection of outdoor interpretive stations providing hands-on educational activities and field trip programming
And, of course, we’ll be bringing back favorites like the Summer Speaker Series, Green Feast, Earth Day Celebration and Plant Sale and Halloween Ho-down.

Becaome a member today, and help spread the word of our goal for 500 new members.

Eco Labs / Upcoming

The Eco-Labs are a series of outdoor learning stations that collectively demonstrate the cyclical nature of humans’ impact on the environment in five focus areas: water, food, waste, energy, and shelter. Designed to be experienced sequentially, each Eco-Lab station promotes participatory learning, systems thinking, experimentation, and observation. The lab activities and curriculum and are flexible so that Ecology Center docents can tailor the Eco-Lab experience to age groups ranging from 5 to 18 years old, making our message of environmental stewardship relevant to all visitors.

The Eco-Labs consist of five learning stations:
The Water Lab demonstrates the hydrologic cycle, including greywater and rainwater harvesting as opportunities to complete the cycle at your own home.  As a group, participants design a rainwater catchment system.
 
The Food Lab features a greenhouse, an interactive vegetable garden, and an outdoor classroom, where participants learn about seed germination, the life cycle of plants, and food harvesting and preparation.  

The Waste Lab which includes a chicken coop, orchard, vermicomposting bin, and recycling demonstration—shows participants how waste is an important part of the environment’s cycles.  Students feed worms and scraps to the chickens, then collect manure to fertilize the trees in the orchard.  

The Energy Lab encourages participants to explore all the different energy sources and needs of The Ecology Center’s home, the historic Congdon House.  Participants learn about energy efficiency and alternative technologies.  

The Shelter Lab is the final station of the Eco-Labs series, and includes native plants and a traditional kiiche shelter. Here, participants learn about how the people before us relied only on the native landscape and the environment’s natural cycles.

The Eco-Labs will serve as the focus of our school field trips, for general visitors during public open hours, and for other special events in late 2010 and for years to come.